Ream separator



Sept. 25, 1962 G. A. MEAD REAM SEPARATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1959 Sept. 25, 1962 G. A. MEAD BEAM sEPARAToR Filed Feb. 5, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll INVENTOR. 6u. E Meno MA/TEW HITTORNEY Sept. 25, 1962 G. A. MEAD REAM SEPARATOR Filed Feb. 5, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 f IN1/nvm@ G/LE AML-14D TEAL 477mm' YJ G. A. MEAD REAM SEPARATOR Sept. 25, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 5, 1959 IN1/mmc G/LE H. MEAD sept. 25, 1962 Filed Feb. 5,

G. A. MEAD REAM SEPARATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 hun INVENTOR.

G/LE

ATTORNEYS G. A. MEAD REAM SEPARATOR Sept. 25, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 5, 1959 INVENTOR. G/LE A. MEAD TToeNE YS Filed Feb. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 791,338. 9 Claims. (Cl. 214,-8.5)

This invention relates to machines which are designated or referred to by personsl in the paper industry asl ream separators,-` sruch machines being employed for equally dividing a stack of paper sheets, as for example, to divide al stack of paper sheets, that is two reams high into two stacks, each one ream high.

In the paper industry, it is most expedient to. pile the large. paper sheets, as they come from the trimmer, in stacks two reams high for cutting them lengthwise into logs which are. then cut transversely into blocks or sections of letter size sheets. These blocks, which remain two reams high, are then each divided into ream high stacks for individual packaging. Heretofore, this dividing of the two ream high stacks after being cut to lettersize blocks has been done manually, and to facilitate it', one or more sheets of paper of contrasting color are placed in the stacks of large sheets, as formed, between the reams. Then after the stacks have been divided into logs, and the logs have been cut into blocks,

each block will contain a part of the sheet of contrasting color and its location will designate the line of separation to provide the individual rearns of paper for packaging.

In a co-.pending application tiled on January 28, 1959 under Serial No. 789,640, I have described and illustrated a machine for cutting paper logs that are two reams high, into blocks or sections'of letter size paper. It is for the dividing of the two ream high blocks or sections into one ream high stack that the present invention is to be employed.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a machine, which is known as a ream separator, for the automatic, expeditious and accurate dividing of stacks of paper sheets into two stacks of equal height.

It is also an Object of the present invention to provide a stack divider orream separator of the character above stated whereby the equal dividing of the stack, or separation of the reams is accomplished while the stack ris being conveyed and which machine includes means therein whereby the. two separated parts of the divided stack are placed in alignment, one ahead of the other on a conveyer for their advancement from the machine.

t is a further .Object of the invention to provide a machine of the character above stated wherein provision has been made f QI ih@ passing of stacks of various heights therethrough, and means whereby a `stack separating blade will be automatically adjusted in accordance with the height of the stack to divide it into two stacks of equal heights.

Further objects and advantages .of the invention reside in the details of construction of various parts of the machine; in their combinatien and in their mode of operation, as will be hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the abeve mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred form-s of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation o f a ream separator embodying .the improvements of the present invention there- 1n.

FIG.. .2 is a vertical cross-section of the machine, taken on the line lf2 in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is .an elevation of the machine. as seen .from

the ,stack discharge and.

United States Patent O FIG. 4 is a horizontal section of the machine taken on line `4 4 in FIG. 1, particularly showing the. stack` dividing or ream separating unit'.

FIG., 5 is. a Side View Q f the. paris Shown. in FIG- 4.-.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the arrangement and relatiQnShip of; enacting Conveyor belts as. employed in the machine.

FIG. 6A shows, in top view, the driving connections as made between the motor. .Shaft and Conveyor belt, driving rollers.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line l-,7 in FIG. l showing, in plan view, the relationship of conveyor belts.

FIG. 8 is a side View of a part of the machine, with parts broken away in order to shorten the view, showing the cable system for equalizing the up and down ad,- justment of opposite ends of the upper belt carrier frame and the stack separator unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional detail showing the manner of mounting the stack dividing blade.

FIG. l0 is a schematic showing of the conveyor belts and their driving connections with the electric motor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As shown best in FIGS. l, 2 and 3, the present machine comprises a rigid and substantial frame structure, rectangular in form and of metal construction. It comprises vertical posts or legs 10, of equal height at its four corners, which posts are joined at opposite sides of the machine, across their lower ends by horizontal bars 11. Likewise, they are joined across their upper ends by dat horizontal bars 12 and between their upper and lower ends, by horizontal bars 13. At the opposite ends of the frame, the legs 10 are joined across their lower and upper ends b y cross-bars 14. All parts are joined in such manner as to retain the frame Astructllrre perfectly rigid.

Fixed in this lframe structure, immediately above the horizontal bars 13 at each side, are the opposite side bars 15a-15a of a conveyor belt mounting frame structure designated in its entirety in FIG. 1l by reference numeral yl5; these bars being disposed against the `inside of the legs 10 and bolted thereto. Extended between and rotatably mounted by these bars 15a-15a at the receiving @ed 0f the machine and in the rslatienship best shown in FIG. 6, are rollers 18 and 19 about which a continuous conveyor belt 26 is mounted for travel. Likewise, extended horizontally between the bars 15a-15a and rotatably mounted thereby, are rollers 21 and 22 about which a continuous conveyor belt 23 is extended. It is shown in FIG. l that the bars 15a-15a extend substantially beyond the opposite ends of the frame and that the top runs of the belts 2Q and 23 as mounted between them provide a substantially continuous conveying surface extending the full length of frame 15 onto which paper stacks can be placed at the receiver end of Athe machine and will bedelivered thereby to its discharge end as presently fully explained.

The driving means for the conveyor belts l2(4) and 23 has been shown in FIGS. l, 6, 6a and 10, and will now be described. Mounted on the longitudinal bars 11 of the frame structure, midway of the ends of the machine, is a base plate 25 on which an electric motor 26 is securely mounted with its drive shaft 26x directed transversely of the machine. Mounted on one end of this shaft are sprocket wheels 27 28, seen in FIG. 6A, of equal diamleter; these being in alignment respectively, with sprOCket wheels 29 and 30 that are iixedion the supporting and driving shafts 31 and 32 of belt driving rollers 33 and 34; these rollers being mounted on the base plate 25 by means of bearing blocks 35, as shown in FIGS. l and 6 in which Itheir shafts rotate. Sprocket chain belts 27x and 28x op- 3 erate about the aligned sprocket Wheels to drive the rollers.

It is shown in FIG. 6 that the conveyor belt 20 which extends along the frame 15 a distance about one-third of its length, after passing about the rollers 18 and 19 extends over and between rollers 36 and 37 that are mounted by and between the frame bars 13 and from these it passes about the driving roller 33. Likewise, the conveyor belt 23, after passing around the supporting rollers 21 and 22 extends over and between rollers 38 and 39, mounted between the bars 13-13, and is then drawn about the driving roller 34.

It is further shown in FIG. 6, that the top run of the belt 20 and that of belt 23 are in the same horizontal plane and their adjacent ends are quite close together so that conveyed stacks will pass easily from belt 2t) onto belt 23. Also, it is to be explained that the sprocket wheel 29 through which belt 20 is driven, has a diameter that is twice that of sprocket wheel 30; this being best shown in FIG. 6A. Therefore, when the motor 26 drives the sprockets 27 and 28, which are of equal diameter, the belt driving roller 34 will be driven at twice the speed of belt driving roller 33, and the lineal speed of belt 23 will be twice that of belt 2t). It is also to be noted that the driving connection provides that the top runs of the belts 20 and 23 will move in the same direction for the conveyance of stacks of paper sheets, such as that designated at S in FIG. 6, from left to right in the showing of FIG. 6. It is also understood that stacks S in passing from belt 20 onto belt 23 will be moved by the latter at twice the speed f their travel when conveyed on belt 20. The reason for this speed differential will presently be apparent.

Assuming that a stack of paper sheets, such as that designated by reference character S, has been moved from the feed table designated at 42 in FIG. 6, onto the receiving end of belt 20, it will be advanced by the belt to the stack separating unit. This has been shown in FIGS. l and 4 to comprise a horizontally supported frame structure designated in its entirety by reference numeral 50. This structure, as noted best in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises parallel, opposite side rails 51-51 that are rigidly joined in spaced relationship by flat plates 52, 53 and 54 that are extended between them flush with their top edges, to serve as belt supports. Mounted transversely of and within this frame structure, at its forward and rearward ends, are belt carrying rollers 55 and 56 about which a continuous conveyor belt 57 is applied and drawn tight. Between its ends the top run of belt 57 is supported by a transverse roller 58, and rearwardly of roller 58 the lower run of the belt is supported by a transversely mounted roller 59; both rollers being mounted in the frame structure 50. It is also to be noted, more particularly by reference to FIGS. and 6, that the top run of the belt 57 is upwardly inclined at a low angle from roller 55 to roller 58 and then continues horizontally to roller 56. It is also shown in FIG. 6 that the lower run of belt 57, after passing roller 55, is supported at a slightly higher level.

The forward end of frame structure 50 terminates near the rear end of belt 20, and at this end is equipped with the ream separating plate 64. This plate extends horizontally across the forward end of the frame and in a downwardly inclined position as well shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In plan view, plate 64 is of the triangular form shown in FIG. 4 and its point is directed forwardly in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine. As best shown in FIG. 9, this point forming portion of plate 64 tapers to a thin, wedge shaped stack dividing edge that is adapted, when a stack of paper is advanced on belt 20 against it as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, to horizontally `divide the stack without stopping its forward travel. The position of the plate permits the lower divisional part of the stack to continue advancement on belt 20 while the upper part is diverted across the top surface of the separating plate 64 onto the top run of belt 57 for conveyance rearwardly thereon.

In order that the upper division of the stack will not be misaligned and will be caused to continue to move in accordance with the advancement of the lower half after the stack engages the point of the dividing plate 64, an overhanging belt drive, as seen in FIG. 6, is provided therefor. This drive comprises-the continuous belt 67, mounted above and aligned with belt 20, and operatively extended at its forward end about a supporting roller 68, and at its opposite end about a driving roller 69 which is at a higher level than roller 68. The top run of this belt is supported between its ends by a transverse roller 70 at the level of roller 69 and the lower run is engaged and deflected downwardly at a slight inclination from roller 68 by a transverse roller 71 that is positioned slightly forward of the stack entering point of the plate 64. It is noted also in FIG. 6 that the belt 67 passes in an upward direction from roller 71, over a roller 73 and then downwardly about the underside of a roller 74, and then upwardly to roller 69. All rollers which engage belt 67 are mounted in a horizontal frame structure, not shown in FIG. 6, but which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 and is designated in its entirety in these views, by reference numeral 78; this frame being horizontally disposed and supported for guided vertical adjustment between the four corner posts 10 of the main frame structure as shown in FIG. 7 and as presently explained.

The driving of the belts 57 and 67 is effected by the following means: Roller 19 as mounted by a shaft 19x on which it is keyed, is driven by the belt 20 as the belt travels about it. The shaft 19x extends rotatably through the frame 15 and at one end has a sprocket wheel 80 fixed thereto. Sprocket 80 is aligned with a sprocket wheel 81 of the same diameter that is fixed on one end of a cross-shaft 82 which extends through the frame 15 rearwardly of roller 22. A chain belt 83 operates about the Isprockets 80 and 81 to drive the shaft 82. Fixed on the other end of shaft 82 is a sprocket wheel 84 which is aligned with a sprocket wheel 95 of the same diameter fixed on one end of the mounting and driving shaft 56x of the belt carrying roller 56. A chain belt 86 operates about the sprockets 84 and 85 to drive the roller 56, and it is through this connection that belt 57 is driven.

Fixed on the end of shaft 56x opposite that end which carries belt wheel 85, is a sprocket wheel 88 which is aligned with a sprocket wheel 89 of the `same diameter that is xed on one end of a cross-shaft 90 mounted horizontally in frame structure 78. A chain belt 91 operates about the sprockets 88 and 89 to drive the shaft 90. At its opposite end, shaft 90 is equipped with a gear wheel 92 in driving mesh with a gear 93 of the same size fixed on one end of a cross-shaft 94 rotatably mounted in frame 78. At its other end, the cross-shaft is equipped with a sprocket wheel 96 which is aligned with a sprocket wheel 97 of the same size fixed on the mounting and driving shaft 69x of roller 69. A chain belt 98 operates about these aligned sprocket wheels.

With the belts 20, 57 and 67 mounted in the manner shown in FIG. 6, and operating at the same lineal speeds in the directions indicated by the arrows adjacent thereto in these views, and assuming also that they are supported in proper vertical spacing relative to each other for operation on stacks of a definite height, it will then be understood that when the paper stack S is placed on the receiving end of belt 20 and advanced toward the ream separating plate 64, the downwardly inclined run of the belt 67 that extends between rollers 68 and 71 will engage the top of the stack and press downwardly thereagainst. Then, when the point of the ream separating plate 64 engages and enters the stack, as in FIG. 6, this belt pressure holds the upper divisional part, designated at Sa, against any misalignment relative to the lower part and also will cause it to move up the inclined top surface of the plate 64 and onto belt 57 while the lower part of the stack, designated at Sb, continues its forward advancement on belt 20, from which it is delivered onto the receiving end of the top run of belt 23 for conveyance at the higher rate of travel tothe discharge end of the machine.

The upper part of the divided stack Sa is conveyed on belt 57 along the frame 50 and is delivered therefrom at its rear end onto a dat plate 99 which is yieldingly supported from frame 50 at the same level as the top run of the belt. The Hat plate 99 is supported by a bracket 100, as shown in FIG. 4, to swing about the drive shaft 56x f roller 56, from the horizontal position in which it is shown in FIG. to the downwardly inclined position in which it is shown in dotted lines. Thus, when the plate 99 receives the stack Sa from the belt 57, it swings downwardly and the stack slides therefrom onto the belt 23 and is conveyed thereby from the machine.

The normal horizontal position of the slide plate 99 is retained by means shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein 102 designates an air cylinder, mounted pivotally at its lower end by a stud 103 tixed in a side rail of frame 50. A piston rod 104 extends from the upper end of the cylinder and is pivotally xed, as at 105 to a lever arm 106 xed to one end of the plate mounting bracket 100. At its inner end the piston rod carries a retarding piston 110 and a coiled -spring 111 is interposed between the piston and upper end of the cylinder. This operates to yieldingly retain the plate 99 in the normal horizontal position and permits a retarded -downward swinging movement when the stack Sa moves onto it, thus to ease the delivery of the stacks onto the belt 23. When unloaded, the spring returns the plate 99 to horizontal position but its upward swing is damped by the trapping of air in the cylinder below the pi-ston, which is loose or ported for a controlled tlow of air through it. f

The upper frame structure, designated in its entirety by numeral 78 is vertically adjustable in the main frame structure to accommodate the machine to stacks `of different height. It is shown in FIG. 7 that, at the right hand end, grooved wheels 11S-115 are mounted on the opposite side rails of the frame to travel on vertical guide rails 116-116 fixed to the legs 10-10 at that end of the frame. It is also shown in FIG. 7 that rack bars 117-117 are fixed vertically to the inside edges of the legs -10 at the other end of the frame, and that gears 119-119 are xed on `opposite ends of a cross-shaft 120 that extends rotatably through the forward end portion of the frame 78 and are meshed with the rack bars 117-117.

The horizontal position of the frame 78 is maintained by a use of taut cables arranged as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8; two cables being used at each side of the machine; these being :designated by reference numerals 121 and 122. Cable 121 is shown to be anchored at one end to a bracket 123 that is iixed to the side rail of the frame 78 at the receiving end of the machine. The cable extends upwardly from the bracket, passes over a sheave wheel 124 that is mounted for rotation on the upper end of the adjacent leg 10, thence downwardly about the underside of a sheave wheel 125 mounted on the side rail 15a of frame I15, thence extended to the opposite end of the frame, about the underside of a sheave wheel 126 thence vupwardly therefrom and is anchored to a bracket 127 that is fixed `on the side rail of frame 78 at the discharge end of the machine.

The cable 122 likewise is attached at lone end to bracket 123, extends downwardly therefrom, about the under-side of a sheave wheel 128 fixed on a side rail 15a of frame 15, at the receiving end of the machine, thence extends to the opposite end of the machine, about the underside of a sheave 129 xed to the side rail 15a, thence upwardly about the top side of a sheave 130 mounted on the upper end of leg 10 at that end of the machine and then downwardly and anchored to the bracket 127. Cable connections are alike at both sides of the machine. The cable system provides that the frame 78 will be maintained level in its lengthwise direction `for all vertical adjustments made, and the rack and gear connection will maintain the frame 78 level in its transverse direction.

The frame 50 is supported at each side by two pairs of parallel links designated by numerals 131-131 and 132-132. Links 131-131` comprising the upper pair, are pivoted at their upper ends to the siderrails of frame 78 .at the same horizontal level, as at 13G-13,3. The other pair of links 132-132 are pivoted, as at 134-134, to the .side rail of frame 15'; these pivot points also being at the` same horizontal level and in vertical alignment with the pivot points 13S-133. The lower ends of links 131-131 -are pivotally joined to the upper ends of links 132-132 and to the side rails of frame 501, as at 135- 135. All links are of the same length and joined links are in angular relationship, as shown. With the frame 78 so supported, any change in elevation of the upper frame 78, las may be required to yaccommodate it for the reception of stacks S of different height, causes a change in the position of the frame 50. It will be understood also that when the position of the frame 50` has been so adjusted relative to the incoming stacks that the plate 64 will operate to equally divide the incoming stacks, any change in vertical adjustment of frame 78 will, through the parallel linkage, automatically effect an adjustment in level of lthe frame 50 that will cause the plate 64 to continue to equally divide the incoming stacks. Thus, stacks of paper two reams high may be equally divided into two stacks, each one ream high.

It is required that the elevation of the frame 78 be stabilized at a predetermined level for stacks of any given height. This is accomplished in the present instance by use of .spring loaded cable winding devices that; are mounted at opposite ends of the frame structure on the cross bars 14 as shown in FIG. l. A cable 141 extends downwardly from each of these devices land these are attached under tension at their lower ends to cross bars 142 fixed in the opposite ends of the frame structure 78 as 4shown in FIG. 3. The tension on the cables is slightly less than that reqiured to balance the weight of the frame 78 and parts carried by it.

The downward movement of the frame 78 is adjustably limited by .a vertical screw that is shown in FIG. 2 to be fixed at its lower end to a cross-member 151 of the frame 78 approximately midway of the ends of the frame, and it extends upwardly from frame 78 through a hole 152, shown in FIG. 2, formed in a cross-bar 153 that extends between and is fixed to the frame bars 12-12. Threaded onto the screw to engage with the top of crossbar 153 is a knurled nut 154, and above it is a lock nut equipped with a handle 156. When the proper elevation of frame 78 has been established for a stack of any particular height, then the nut 154 is adjusted down along the screw to engage rail 154 and is locked by tightening nut 155 against it. This limits downward movement of frame 78.

The setting of frame 78 is so adjusted that the entering stack S as shown in FIG. 6, will properly engage the belt 67; it being intended that this belt shall cause a light downward pressure to be exerted against the entering stock in order to cause a proper advancement of the upper half across the sepanating plate 64 and onto belt 57.

fIt is sometimes desirable to feed stacks S through the machine without dividing them. In such instances the frames 50 and 78 are elevated 4so that the plate 64 will clear the stacks as advanced on belt 20. To effect this elevation of the frames, easily and quickly, I have provided the means shown best in FIGS. 3 land 8 wherein 4160 designates a cable that is attached at one end to the cross-member 142 -at one end of frame 781 and eX- tends upwardly therefrom, over sheave wheels 161 and 162, mounted on the adjacent cross-member 14 and thence downwardly from wheel 162 and passes freely through a hole in a horizontal arm 163 that is tixed to the lower end of a piston rod 164 that extends from the lower end of an air cylinder 165 that is tixed vertically to the adjacent frame corner post 10. At its lower end .and a short distance below the larm 163, the cable has a block 166 xed thereto. Air under pressure is adapted to be admitted from a supply line 167 to the upper end of the air cylinder under control of a solenoid valve 167x. When lit is desired to lift the frame 50 to clear incoming stacks, the valve is opened, admitting air to the upper end of the cylinder. This `acts on the piston rod 164 to drive it downwardly. The arm 163 fixed to the rod, engages block 166 and pulls downwardly on cable 160 and thus operates to lift the frame 78, and through it, to lift the frame 50.

It is shown in FIG. 8 that a vertical guide rod 170 is fixed at its lower end to arm 163 land slides through a guide 171 fixed to the lower end of cylinder. This maintains the proper position of the cable.

With the machine so constructed it is to be understood that stacks S may be placed on belt 20 and advanced thereby into the machine, passing below belt 67 moving at equal speed, which presses yieldingly downwardly against it, as it engages the stack dividing plate 64. The plate equally divides the stack and the lower half moves from belt 20 onto the faster moving belt 23, while the upper half continues, at the entering speed, onto belt 57 and from it onto plate 99 from which it is discharged onto belt 23. Feeding of stacks S into the machine is so timed that there will be sufficient space between the divisional parts Sb on belt 23 to receive the divisional parts Sa between them. The ratio of the speed of belts 20 and 23 may be changed if desired by using ia `larger or smaller sprocket wheel 29.

Adjustment of frame 78 to accommodate stacks of various heights may be easily and readily done by reference to a pointer 177 that is xed to the frame 7S in position to follow a graduated scale 178 fixed vertically to a post as shown in FIG. l, and with each vertical adjustment of frame 78, the frame 50 will automatically position itself for the equal division of the stack S by the plate 64. Stacks of any height, within limits, may be separated.

The shafts which carry rollers 37, 38 and 74 are mounted in eccentric bearings of conventional form for ready -adjustment as may be required to tighten or loosen the belts.

The supporting tension applied through cables 141 may be changed through adjustment of the spring loaded devices 140 to provide for ready movement of the frame 78.

It is also -a feature of this invention that the ream or stack dividing plate 64 is supported at its base edge from the forward end of frame S0 by laterally spaced bolts 180, as shown in lFIG. 9. These bolts are so attached to the plate that the forward point of the blade will have slight, limited vertical movement. This permits the plate, to automatically -adjust itself in the event that its point should strike against the end edge of a sheet of paper or card in the stack, and not between sheets.

What l claim as new is:

l. A machine of the character described comprising a rigid main frame structure, a horizontally moving conveyor means mounted therein at a fixed level for the advancement of paper stacks in succession thereon into the machine, a horizontal frame structure adjustably supported in said main frame structure substantially above said horizontally moving conveyor means, means for effecting and retaining vertical adjustments of said horizontal frame structure, a conveyor frame disposed horizontally in said main frame structure between said horizontally moving conveyor and said horizontal frame structure, a conveyor belt operable `along said conveyor frame, a stack separation plate mounted by and projecting from said conveyor frame to engage and horizontally divide said paper stacks as advanced into the machine by said horizontally moving conveyor means, and to effect the delivery of the upper divisional portions of said stacks to the conveyor belt as mounted in said conveyor frame, paired links arranged in parallel relationship at opposite sides of the conveyor frame and pivotally connected thereto at their upper ends and extending downwardly therefrom and pivotally connected at their lower ends to said main frame structure, other paired parallel links, equal in lengths to those iirst mentioned, pivotally connected at their lower ends to said conveyor frame at opposite sides and extended upwardly therefrom and pivotally connected at their upper ends to said horizontal frame structure; said paired links providing supports of toggle form for said conveyor frame whereby it is automatically vertically adjusted in accordance with vertical adjustments of said horizontal frame structure.

2. The machine of claim l wherein said horizontal frame structure is equipped at the stack receiving end of the main frame structure with a driven feed belt having a part thereof disposed to be engaged by the top surfaces of entering stacks as they are advanced toward and against the separation plate, thus to effect the advancement of the upper divisional parts of said stacks across said separation plate and onto the conveyor belt as mounted in said conveyor frame, and wherein said horizontal frame structure is vertically adjustable in said main frame to accommodate said feed belt to stacks of different height, and wherein the toggle forming linkage operates automatically with the adjustment of said hori zontal frame structure to adjust the level of the conveyor frame and said separation plate accordingly.

3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said horizontally moving conveyor means comprises a first belt, on which the stacks are delivered into the machine, and a second conveyor belt which receives the lower divisional portions of said stacks from said first belt; said second belt being driven at a lineal speed substantially greater than that of the conveyor belt in the conveyor frame.

4. A stack separating machine of the character described comprising a horizontal first conveyor means on which stacks of sheets are conveyed into and through the machine, a conveyor frame supported above and extending along said iirst conveyor means, a stack separating plate extending from said conveyor frame and positioned thereby in the path of said stacks as conveyed into the machine, and a second conveyor means supported by said conveyor frame to receive thereonto the upper divisional portions of said stacks `advanced across said separating plate, and a stack lowering plate movably mounted adjacent the discharge end of said conveyor frame and extending beyond said frame and over said first conveyor means, a resilient means normally supporting said plate in horizontal position to receive the upper divisional portions of stacks and said resilient means permitting a downward movement of the plate to effect delivery of the upper divisional portions therefrom onto said first conveyor means.

5. A stack separating machine of the character described comprising a continuously moving horizontal first conveyor means on which stacks of sheets are conveyed into and through the machine, a vertically adjustable conveyor frame supported above and extending along said iirst conveyor means, a stack separating plate secured to and extending from the forward end of said conveyor frame and positioned thereby in the path of stacks as they are conveyed into the machine, said stack separating plate being substantially the same Width as said conveyor frame, a second continuously moving conveyor means supported by said conveyor frame to receive thereonto the upper divisional portions of a stack advanced across said separating plate, a stack lowering means at the discharge end of said conveyor frame for the return of said upper divisional portions of the stacks from said second conveyor means onto said first conveyor means in separated relationship to the lower divisional parts, said stack lowering means comprising a plate movably mounted adjacent the discharge end of said conveyor frame in alignment with the conveyor means mounted in said conveyor frame and extending beyond said frame and over said iirst conveyor means, a resilient means normally supporting said plate in horizontal position to 9 receive the upper divisional portions of the stacks directly thereonto and said resilient means permitting a retarded downward movement of the plate to effect delivery of the upper divisional portions therefrom onto said first conveyor means.

6. A stack separating machine of the character described comprising a continuously moving horizontal conveyor belt on which stacks of paper are advanced in succession into the machine, a pressure applying belt mounted in the machine above and spaced from said horizontal conveyor belt and positioned to pressure engage the top of a stack as advanced on said horizontal conveyor belt, a vertically adjustable conveyor fra-me supported above, extending along and spaced from said horizontal conveyor belt, a second continuously moving conveyor belt mounted in and operable along said conveyor frame and .a stack separating plate mounted by and projecting from said conveyor frame, between said pressure applying belt and said horizontal conveyor belt, to engage and horizontally divide the stacks as advanced by said horizontal conveyor belt and eiect delivery of the upper horizontal portions of the stacks onto the second conveyor belt mounted in said conveyor frame.

7. A stack separating machine as in claim 6 wherein said pressure applying belt is downwardly inclined Whereby increased pressure is applied to the stack as the stack advances beneath said pressure applying belt.

8. The stack separating machine of claim 6 including a main frame structure and means supporting said horizontally moving conveyor belt at a ixed level therein, and paired sets of links with one end of which is pivoted to said conveyor frame and their other end is pivoted to the main frame structure for supporting said conveyor frame at such elevation that the separating plate will divide stacks of diierent heights in upper and lower divisional parts of the same proportion.

9. The stack separating machine of claim 6 including a stack lowering means at the discharge end of said conveyor frame for the return of the upper divisional portions of the stacks from said second conveyor belt onto said horizontal conveyor belt in separated relationship to the lower divisional parts of the stacks.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,484,196 Turrall et al Oct. 11, 1949 2,511,266 Hube et al June 13, 1950 2,738,912 Kiei'aber Mar. 20, 1956 2,830,713 Fredriksson Apr. l5, 1958 2,862,291 Clark et al Dec. 2, 1958 2,940,616 Reed June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 908,962 Germany Apr. 12, 1954 1,013,156 Germany Aug. 1, 1957 

